SENATOR THE HON DAVID FAWCETT
Assistant Minister for Defence
Senator for South Australia
SENATOR THE HON NIGEL SCULLION
Minister for Indigenous Affairs
Senator for the Northern Territory
KATHY GANLEY
Candidate for Solomon
JACINTA NAMPIJINPA PRICE
Candidate for Lingiari
DR SAM MCMAHON
Candidate for The Senate
Coalition Delivering Defence Infrastructure in the Northern Territory
In an uncertain world, Australia’s prosperity depends on our security. To protect Australia and our national interests, we are building a stronger Defence Force, restoring Defence funding to 2 per cent of GDP by 2020-21 and investing over $200 billion in military capability over the decade
The Liberal and Nationals Government‘s 2016 Defence White Paper sets out a comprehensive strategy to deal with our security challenges. Included in this comprehensive strategy is a commitment to invest in Defence infrastructure in the Northern Territory as part of the Integrated Investment Program.
The Assistant Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon David Fawcett said that the Northern Territory has a vital role to play as a partner with Defence and that timely investment in Defence infrastructure was important to ensure that local businesses remain viable into the future to provide support to our military and allies.
“The Morrison Government will therefore direct Defence to bring forward the start date on approved infrastructure work packages for commencement before the end of 2019”, Assistant Minister Fawcett said.
“Our decision will bring real money into the Territory and Top End businesses more quickly than was otherwise planned”
“The successful Local Industry Capability Plan initiative has been based on feedback from regional businesses and means that work packages will be tendered that are suitable for local companies to bid for and win, delivering both value for money and local benefit”.
Minister Fawcett thanked Country Liberal candidates Jacinta Price (Lingiari), Cathy Ganley (Solomon) and Dr Sam McMahon (Senate) for their advocacy to ensure that work continued to flow to local companies from the $20 billion Defence infrastructure package for the Northern Territory.
“Total work funded in 2018/19 will be $335 million, growing to over $400 million in 2019/20. Defence is currently investing in projects across the NT including Larrakeyah, Robertson Barracks, and RAAF Tindal.”
Ends.